Veterans Disability Compensation

Regular Army: Retired

Benefit Fact Sheet

Summary:

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays monthly Veterans Disability Compensation to Veterans who have a service-connected disability. The Veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, and the disability must not have resulted from the Veteran's willful misconduct. Compensation may be paid for disability as the result of any disease or injuryincurred or aggravated by federal active service or any period of active duty for training. Compensation may also be paid for a disability incurred by injury or covered disease - cerebrovascular accident (stroke), myocardial infarction, or cardiac arrest - incurred during inactive duty for training (drilling).

Eligibility:

Retired Soldiers and their Families may be eligible for Veterans Disability Compensation under the below circumstances:

A Veteran with a service-connected disability incurred while on federal active duty, OR

Active duty for training, OR

Inactive duty training, AND

You are at least 10% disabled by an injury or disease that was incurred in or aggravated during active duty or active duty for training, or inactive duty training

A surviving Spouse, Child or Parent of a Veteran with a service-connected disability

There is no time limit to apply for compensation benefits.

Note: Medical evidence of a current physical or mental disability and evidence of a relationship between your disability and an injury, disease, or event during military service must be established. Medical records or opinions are required to establish this relationship.

Benefit Highlights:

Disability compensation amounts are graduated according to the degree of the Veteran's disability on a scale from 10 percent to 100 percent (in increments of 10 percent). Compensation may also be paid for disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service. Generally, the degrees of disability specified are also designed to compensate for considerable loss of working time from exacerbations or illnesses. These benefits are not subject to federal or state income tax.

If you have dependents, an additional allowance may be added if your combined disability is rated 30% or greater. Your compensation may be offset if you receive military retirement pay, disability severance pay, or separation incentive payments.

Presumed Disability:

Former prisoners of war

Veterans who have certain chronic or tropical diseases that become evident within a specific period of time after discharge from service

Veterans who were exposed to ionizing radiation, mustard gas, or Lewisite while in service

Veterans who were exposed to certain herbicides, such as by serving in Vietnam

Annual clothing allowances for Veterans who use prosthetic or orthopedic appliances, or use medication prescribed by a physician for a service-connected skin condition that causes permanent stains or otherwise damages outer garments.

Pre-Discharge Claim: Service members are able to submit disability compensation claims to VA between 60-180 days before their separation date. Processing times tend to be much shorter for claims submitted pre-discharge than post-discharge. Typically, Service members submitting this type of claim include this activity during Transition Assistance counseling.

Post-Discharge Claim: Claims for post-service disabilities would include claims for disabilities that are a result of service-related events, injuries, etc. considered to be service-related, even though the disability arose after service. Also, there are various classifications of presumptive disabilities which can be based on location or circumstances of service or just by military service itself.

Claims Based on Special Circumstances: Claims regarding compensation are not always based on an in-service event. After a disability has been determined to be service-connected, there may be other types of claims a Veteran or surviving Spouse may wish to file. This might include a claim for a temporary 100% rating due to surgery for a service-connected disability, or additional compensation based on being in need of regular aid and attendance.

Applying for Disability Compensation:

Gathering documentation: To apply for Veterans Disability Compensation benefits, the following paperwork must be submitted at a minimum:

All supporting medical records or documentation indicating diagnosis or treatment of injury or disease, AND

Other evidence (i.e., line-of-duty investigations, witness statements, or any other documentation indicating an injury or situation occurred which would create or aggravate a disability)

*NOTE: Veterans submitting claims for Disability Compensation may be requested to submit additional documentation or undergo medical evaluation by the VA during investigation of the claim. It is important to stay in communication with VA to ensure all requests are met in a timely manner.

The following methods may be used to submit a claim:

Applying with an Accredited Representative: VA encourages individuals who are applying for disability compensation to work with an accredited representative or agent to assist them in completing a Fully Developed Claim for submission through eBenefits. Being accredited means organizations and individuals must have VA permission to represent Veterans before the Department in their claims for VA benefits. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that Veterans have qualified and competent representation. These individuals receive specialized training in VA benefits law and procedure. Applicants may search for an accredited representative in eBenefits on the Manage Your Representative for VA Claims page.

Visit a VA Regional Office: Veterans may also apply by visiting a VA Regional Office where trained staff is available for assistance. Veterans can find regional offices on the Facility Locator page. Veterans should bring all supporting documentation available with them. VA will help obtain records by requesting them from the person, company, or agency that has them, but having them in advance significantly reduces processing time.

Applying through eBenefits: Veterans can begin or modify their application for Disability Compensation through eBenefits. Veterans can also upload all supporting documents and evidence, and include it in the claim.